Strengthening Our Military Families: President’s Initiative

This Monday, January 31, 2011 is the looming deadline, as directed by the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, for implementation of a comprehensive caregiver support plan. Wounded Warrior Project remains hopeful that this deadline will be met given today’s important announcement by President Barack Obama of a new initiative to strengthen America’s military families. Each Cabinet member also pledged their support by signing a directive that outlines specific priorities to meet the needs of these military families. In making this commitment, “the President has made the care and support of military families a top national security policy priority.” This announcement signals a renewed pledge to helping our nation’s military families overcome the many challenges they face.

This Monday, January 31, 2011 is also 270 days after the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act was signed into law by the President. More significantly, it’s 270 days that the caregivers of our nation’s most severely wounded veterans have endured without the help and support they so desperately need…and deserve.

WWP remains steadfast in our mission to help these families and anxiously awaits the Administration’s roll-out of the details of the Caregiver implementation plan. We must express concern that any delays will also delay the distribution of benefits to these families. 270 days is a long time to wait, but these families have been patiently waiting with the promise of action provided by this law. The families of our American heroes should not have to wait a day longer.